Happy Holidays & All The Best For 2016

Happy Holidays & All The Best For 2016 From Greenland Or Bust.

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December's Newsletter

8TH UK STORM GATHERING SYMPOSIUM
GREENLAND EXPEDITION • ICE BEARS AND ISLANDS

Happy Holidays! We at Greenland or Bust wish you, your family and your friends a wonderful festive season.

Here in Northern California the ran has been falling, which is great, because we certainly need it. On top of that, the wind has been howling, which has made it really nice to curl up indoors and work on our 2016 schedule, which is filling fast! We don't have it all up on the website yet, but for a sample of what's happening in 2016, click HERE

In November, Helen taught Traditional Paddling and Rolling and Simplifying the Roll at Horseshoe Cove in California. Mark ran some BCU and ISKGA programs in Cornwall, England and on Anglesey, in Wales.

In December, we've got classes in San Diego, Marina Del Rey and Dana Point (all in California). And then 2016 starts...

In January we've got some local programs running, and Helen will be completing her Wilderness First Responder. In February there's Paddle Golden Gate. It's an awesome event, and well worth checking out, if you haven't done so already. 

After that, Greenland or Bust and Kokatat are bringing Jaime Sharp to Eureka, California for Ice Bears and Islands, a presentation on Svalbard's world first sea kayak circumnavigation. 

For more, please see the flyer below, or e-mail info@greenlandorbust.org.

Later in February, we head to the UK for the 8th UK Storm Gathering Symposium, which takes place on Anglesey in Wales from February 20 to 22. The main event will be followed by BCU and ISKGA Week.

Finally, our next Greenland expedition takes place in the Disco Bay/Ilulissat area from July 20 to 31, 2016, and there are only a couple of places left! Contact us at info@greenlandorbust.org for more information.

As usual, visit www.greenlandorbust.org for more information, our current Events calendar and Blog postings. You can also find us on Twitter. For questions, comments or to schedule us in your neighborhood, email info@greenlandorbust.org.

Happy paddling!

Helen and Mark

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Dr. T's Coaching Corner

Proper Planning And Preparation Will Prevent a Poor Performance - Get to know the area where you will be tested. Paddle it a few times in different weather/tidal conditions, so your chart is there as a backup, not as your primary means of knowing your location.

Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail - Set out lots of 'desk-top' plans beforehand, so when on the water you can create several 'deck-top' plans in your head, at any one time: a five minute plan, a 30 minute plan and a one hour plan. Your aim is to be implementing the 5 minute plan, working towards the 30 minute plan, and keeping the one hour plan in perspective.

Be Brave. Take Risks. Nothing Can Substitute Experience - If you are 'experienced' then it stands to reason that you will draw confidence from having built up a breadth of personal knowledge, thus enabling you to make sound judgment calls as and when they are required.

Come Prepared To Take The Helm - If you are not so 'experienced' then you need a bombproof game plan or live on your wits, which will be stressful! This is the hardest way of passing; a good examiner will detect a candidate's lack of flexibility and will try to force judgment calls, potentially then forcing mistakes to be made. After all, they need to see if a candidate is safe in any situation.

To Prepare Is Half The Victory - Be ready to use your safety equipment, especially your towline, more than once and often in quick succession. Sort out an effective roll and be ready with a quick re-entry; this is a set piece and really highlights good paddling skills, or lack of. Make sure the kit you have is functional, accessible but also easily stowed and secured. Stay calm and do what you always do, not what you think someone else wants you to do.

"Be prepared, work hard, and hope for a little luck. Recognize that the harder you work and the better prepared you are, the more luck you might have" - Ed Bradley.

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Program Schedule

Simplifying the Roll- December 12, San Diego, California

Simplifying the Roll- December 19, Dana Point, California

Simplifying the Roll- December 20, Marina Del Rey, California

(Programs running in 2016 will be posted soon.)

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Working on your roll and need a little help? Simplifying the Roll with Helen Wilson and Yoga for Outdoor People are available from our on-line store HERE.

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Copyright © 2015 Greenland or Bust, All rights reserved.

Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer • (707) 834-5501

info@greenlandorbust.org

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April's Newsletter

STORM GATHERING VIDEO • NORDIC TOUR • ANTARCTICA

With the launch of Storm Gathering USA, February & March were busy months for Greenland or Bust. So busy, in fact, that we never got around to sending our March newsletter. Busy is good however & we're looking forward to a busy, wonderful summer.

Storm Gathering USA took place in Trinidad, California from March 6 to 8, and it was an absolute blast! There wasn't much of a "storm" weather wise, but people didn't seem to mind, and instead welcomed the sunshine, calm seas and large numbers of whales that made an appearance. Despite the calm seas, excitement was found amongst rock gardens and surf, and mild conditions meant that classes could get into places that are usually inaccessible. We've put together a little video of the event, which can be viewed HERE. Thank you to all of the participants, coaches, safety boaters, volunteers, sponsors, chefs and Coast Guards who took part in the event. The next UK Storm Gathering takes place February 20 to 22 in Anglesey, Wales, and the next Storm Gathering USA event on the West Coast takes place March 3 to 5, 2017.

We're currently in Wales where we will be running Simplifying the Roll & a Traditional Paddling / Greenland Rolling Day weekend. After that we have a five-day BCU 4 Star Sea Training combined with BCU Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning. We'll take a break for Easter and then run a second Simplifying the Roll class & Combat Rolling. After that Helen heads to Charleston, South Carolina for the East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival. Then she'll run private & semi-private classes during the ENC Kayaking Social before heading to Bacalar, Mexico for Paddle Marathon Laguna Bacalar 2015. Meanwhile, Mark will be in Wales at the Essentials Sea Kayak Weekend, as well as running a BCU 4 Star Sea Assessment & a BCU 4 Star Refresher Week. After that we've got more BCU programs, classes in Lodi, California & then our Rebel Kayaks supported Nordic Tour begins.

This year's tour is bigger and better than ever, and we have classes scheduled in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. We are very excited to be back for another tour, and look forward to seeing all of our Scandinavian friends again. Click HERE for our 2015 tour schedule.

Have you ever dreamed of kayaking in Antarctica? We are guiding an expedition there from December 31, 2015 to January 27/28, 2016. E-mail us at info@greenlandorbust.org for details.

As usual, visit www.greenlandorbust.org for more information and our current Events calendar and Blog postings. You can also follow us on Twitter. For questions, comments or to schedule us in your neighborhood, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.

Happy paddling!

Helen and Mark

Dr. T's Coaching Corner

In December’s newsletter, we began talking about the technical, tactical, physiological and psychological factors (TTPP) that make up a paddler’s performance.

This month we look at ways to develop a kayaker's technical ability. To recap, this element represents the individual skill that, when executed well, forms the technical template of ‘best practice’ for a stroke. Progress occurs through the use of instruction and structured practice, with the coach evaluating each movement and providing feedback. Skills practiced well will set a paddler up for future success.

To learn a skill, it is likely that an individual will need initial input via demonstration or instruction.

Whole Method - a skill can be taught or shown as a whole so the paddler can appreciate the complete movement and execution of a technique. Simple skills benefit from this method.

Part Method - When a skill is complex it is more appropriate to breakdown the compound movement into its constituent parts. The parts can then be taught and linked together to develop the final skill.

Whole / Part / Whole - Initially the individual attempts the whole skill and the coach records those parts that not being executed well. Part instruction can be used to address the issues, followed by the paddler repeating the whole skill with the coach monitoring progress.

Once a skill has been taught, then it is a matter of structuring the right practice format to aid learning, of which there are several formats:

Fixed - a specific movement is practiced repeatedly. Closed skills are often practiced in this way.

Massed - a skill is practiced continuously until the skill is becomes ingrained. Suitable with simple tasks and high levels of motivation.

Variable - the skill is practiced in the range of conditions that it could be experienced. Open skills are best practiced in this way.

Distributed - breaks are taken whilst developing the skill. This is suitable when the skill is new or complex, as fatigue can result in injury, reduced motivation or environmental conditions become poor.

However, whilst developing a technical template of ‘best practice’ is important to a paddler, the real value comes when they can apply these skills in a strategic or tactical way. More on that next time :-)

Program Schedule

Simplifying the Roll:
March 28, Anglesey, Wales

Traditional Paddling & Greenland Rolling:
March 29, Anglesey, Wales

BCU 4 Star Sea Training and Coastal Navigation:
March 30 to April 3, Anglesey, Wales

Simplifying the Roll:
April 11, Anglesey, Wales

Combat Rolling:
April 12, Anglesey, Wales

East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival:
April 17 to 19, Charleston, South Carolina

Kayak Essentials Festival:
April 18 to 19, Anglesey, Wales

BCU 4 Star Sea Assessment:
April 20 to 21, Anglesey, Wales

Private and Semi-Private Classes during the ENC Kayaking Social:
April 23 to 26, Trinidad, California

BCU 4 Star Refresher Week:
April 27 to May 1, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Paddle Marathon Laguna Bacalar 2015:
May 1 to 3, Bacalar, Mexico

BCU 4 Star Sea Training:
May 5 to 6, Anglesey, Wales

BCU 4 Star Sea Assessment:
May 7 to 8, Anglesey, Wales

Simplifying the Roll
May 16 and 17, Lodi, California

Simplifying the Rescue:
May 16, Lodi, California

Nordic Tour:
May 23 to August 30, Norway, Denmark and Sweden

 …And Finally

Working on your roll and need a little help? Simplifying the Roll with Helen Wilson and Yoga for Outdoor People are available from our on-line store HERE. 

Yoga for Outdoor People can also be purchased as a download from the Digital Goods Store.

============================================================
Copyright © 2015 Greenland or Bust, All rights reserved.

Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer • (707) 834-5501

info@greenlandorbust.org

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Simplifying The Roll & Combat Rolling - April 11 & 12, Anglesey

Date: April 11, 2015

Location: Anglesey, Wales

Meeting Point: Summit To Sea, Valley.

Class: Simplifying The Roll.

Coaches: Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer are both accomplished paddlers and frequent guest coaches at symposia and kayaking events across the U.S., Europe and the rest of the world. They are based out of Northern California, where they offer coaching and trips through their business, Greenland or Bust - www.greenlandorbust.org.

Overview: The techniques examined in this class can be used with any type of paddle and any type of kayak. The class will move through a steady progression of on-land exercises, in-water activities as well as boat-based practice. Topics that can be covered include first rolls, other-side rolls, layback paddle rolls, forward finish paddle rolls, norsaq rolls, hand rolls and beyond. Participants will receive individualised coaching during the class, and a personalised action plan at the end.

Class 1: 09.00 – 12.30 Saturday April 11

Class 2: 13.30 – 17.00 Saturday April 11

Cost: Each class costs £60 and if you choose to book both sessions you will receive a £20 discount.

You also have the option to purchase a copy of the DVD “Simplifying The Roll with Helen Wilson" at the reduced price of £15 when you book a class.

Prerequisites: This is a multi-level class and is open to paddlers of all abilities.

Equipment: Full immersion gear is required plus own boat and paddle. No need to be a Greenland kayaker but we hope to have paddles available for participants to try if they wish.

Date: April 12, 2015

Location: Anglesey, Wales

Meeting Point: Summit To Sea, Valley.

Class: Combat Rolling.

Overview: This class is for those with a “pool” or “flat water” roll who want to try using it in a more dynamic setting. We’ll begin by looking at our rolls and cleaning up any inconsistencies. Then we’ll move these rolls into a gentle surf zone and become more comfortable rolling in both surf and with obstacles that are often present in a “combat” situation (such as sand or rocks).

Class 1: 10.00 – 14.00 Sunday April 12

Cost: This class costs £75.

You also have the option to purchase a copy of the DVD “Simplifying The Roll with Helen Wilson" at the reduced price of £15 when you book a class.

Prerequisites: This class is for those with a “pool” or “flat water” roll who want to try using it in a more dynamic setting.

Equipment: Full immersion gear is required plus own boat and paddle. No need to be a Greenland kayaker but we hope to have paddles available for participants to try if they wish.

Booking: For more information please contact or to book a place contact Helen and Mark at Greenland or Bust - info@greenlandorbust.org

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Simplifying The Roll - March 28 & April 11, Anglesey

Date: March 28 & April 11, 2015

Location: Anglesey, Wales

Meeting Point: Summit To Sea, Valley.

Class: Simplifying The Roll.

Coaches: Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer are both accomplished paddlers and frequent guest coaches at symposia and kayaking events across the U.S., Europe and the rest of the world. They are based out of Northern California, where they offer coaching and trips through their business, Greenland or Bust - www.greenlandorbust.org.

Overview: The techniques examined in this class can be used with any type of paddle and any type of kayak. The class will move through a steady progression of on-land exercises, in-water activities as well as boat-based practice. Topics that can be covered include first rolls, other-side rolls, layback paddle rolls, forward finish paddle rolls, norsaq rolls, hand rolls and beyond. Participants will receive individualised coaching during the class, and a personalised action plan at the end.

Class 1: 09.00 – 12.30 Saturday March 28 / April 11

Class 2: 13.30 – 17.00 Saturday March 28 / April 11

Cost: Each class costs £60 and if you choose to book both sessions you will receive a £20 discount.

You also have the option to purchase a copy of the DVD “Simplifying The Roll with Helen Wilson" at the reduced price of £15 when you book a class.

Prerequisites: This is a multi-level class and is open to paddlers of all abilities.

Equipment: Full immersion gear is required plus own boat and paddle. No need to be a Greenland kayaker but we hope to have paddles available for participants to try if they wish.

Booking: For more information please contact or to book a place contact Helen and Mark at Greenland or Bust - info@greenlandorbust.org

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BCU 4 Star Sea Training With CNTP: March 30 to April 3, Anglesey

Date: March 30 - April 3, 2015.

Location: Anglesey

Cost: £350 non-residential

Includes: 4 Star Sea Training & Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning.

Description: This five-day training course will cover the necessary elements of leadership, group safety and seamanship skills, as well as developing personal performance as set out in the BCU 4 Star Sea and CNTP syllabi.

Completion of the training course will lead to a personalised action plan in preparation for the BCU 4 Star assessment. The course will cover:

Personal Paddling Skills

• Lifting, carrying and launching/landing
• Efficient and effective sea paddling skills
• Forward paddling
• Reversing and stopping
• Maintaining direction
• Changing direction
• Moving sideways
• Support strokes
• Rolling
• Practical navigation

Rescue Skills, Safety, Leadership and Group Management

• Boat and shore based safety and rescue skills
• Incident management and first aid in the 4 star environment
• Being an effective team leader and team member in rescues/incidents
• Application of leadership
• Leadership strategies, judgement and decision making
• Safety awareness and risk management
• Group control and management
• Equipment

Theory

• Safety (includes coastguard and rescue services)
• Weather
• Hypothermia/first aid
• Access
• Planning
• Group awareness and management
• Navigation
• Etiquette (includes collision regulations and signals)
• General (and historical)
• Leadership responsibilities
• Water features/hazards

Prerequisites: BCU 3 Star standard skills.

BCU Information: For syllabus details, visit the BCU website.

Contact: For more information, write to us at info@greenlandorbust.org

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Anglesey Adventure - April 6 to 10, Anglesey

Date: April 6 to 10, 2015

Location: Anglesey, Wales

Guides: Helen and Mark are both accomplished paddlers and frequent guest coaches at symposia and kayaking events across the U.S., Europe and the rest of the world. They have lead trips together in the US, UK, Europe and Greenland.

Description: North Wales is renowned amongst sea kayakers all over the world for its rugged coastline, tidal features, historic sites and outstanding wildlife. In particular, the coastal waters and spectacular scenery around Anglesey make this area an ideal location for some great boat-based adventures, and it is the perfect setting for improving essential paddling skills too. Our aim is to complete a number of classic Anglesey sea kayak adventures over the five days.

We are offering the opportunity to complete the following BCU qualifications during the trip: BCU 3 Star Sea Training and BCU 3 Star Sea Assessment where appropriate

Considerations: Weather will be the deciding factor when it comes to which trip we complete each day. If the weather is too poor there are alternative activities available to us. Distance achieved each day is dependant on tides/winds and overall group ability.

Prerequisites: From the challenges offered by ‘The Swellies’ to the scenic cliffs of Holy Island to the lighthouses of Penmon and South Stack, there is plenty to see and explore as we kayak around the island. Strong tides and winds of Force 3 to 5 are often encountered, so to get the most out of this 5 day adventure it is important that participants have experience of paddling in these conditions and are fit, active paddlers. We advise using the BCU 3 Star / ACA 3 syllabi as a means of benchmarking personal skills.

Contact: For more information, program costs, boat hire and accommodation options or to book a place, e-mail info@greenlandorbust.org.

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Greenland or Bust - 2014

Happy Holidays! Instead of putting together our usual monthly newsletter, we've put together a fun little video of 2014. Enjoy!

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October's Newsletter

LUMPY WATERS • HARPOONS • CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF JAMAICA

Here in Northern California, Autumn is often the prettiest time of year. Foggy summer days are replaced by clear skies, and when not paddling, days can be spent at apple harvest festivals, corn mazes and pumpkin patches. In addition to all of this, the selection of fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets couldn't be bigger. This is our favorite season, and we're just at the beginning of it!

Although "summer" is officially over, our schedule remains full for the rest of the year. It has been nice to spend some time at home though, catching up with friends, and when the ocean permits, exploring new places.

September started with Mark's return to the UK and Helen's return to the U.S. for the Traditional Paddlers' Gathering in Minnesota. This event is great for many reasons, some of which include the wonderful people, the ideal location and a really fun harpoon contest. Harpoons are not common at symposia, but they really should be :-) 

Helen spent another part of the month paddling and fishing with friends in Mendocino and Humboldt counties (both in Northern California). She also ran private rolling classes during the Bay Area Sea Kayakers' Mendo Madness event, which takes place in Mendocino, California. Mark ran two introduction to sea kayaking programs, Simplifying the Roll and a combat rolling class, along with catching up with friends on and off the water in North Wales after the long summer.

In October Helen will be instructing at Lumpy Waters in Oregon; Big Lagoon in California; and at the Optimist Kayaking's Symposium in Israel. Mark will be working on a number of BCU classes, including a BCU 4 Star Sea Assessment and 4 Star Sea Training, as a well as providing some regional coach development programmes for Canoe Wales. Mark will also be one of the guest coaches at the DGI’s Autumn Coach Conference in, Denmark. Later this year we have classes scheduled in the U.S. and Mexico.

In December we'll be meeting up with Wes Moses and the three of us will attempt to circumnavigate Jamaica, the largest island of the Commonwealth Caribbean. To our knowledge, we will be the first people to attempt this circumnavigation. 

Interested in joining us for an expedition? How about paddling near penguins and icebergs? Our Antarctic expedition dates are set for December 31, 2015 to January 27/28, 2016. Our next Greenland expedition is set for summer 2016. For more information on either of these expeditions, email info@greenlandorbust.org.

As usual, visit www.greenlandorbust.org for more information and our current Events calendar and Blog postings. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. For questions, comments or to schedule us in your neighborhood, email info@greenlandorbust.org. Happy paddling!

- Helen and Mark

Dr. T's Coaching Corner

This month we highlight some educational thinking about practice and achieving a high-level of domain specific expertise.

According to K. Ander Erricsson* and his colleagues, becoming an expert within a given field of endeavour is a combination of deliberate practice that is challenging yet methodical, which in turn is supported by insightful, critical coaching.

Deliberate practice is seen as being about improving the skills you already have and learning how to extend the range as well as the reach of your skills.

Added to that, achieving an outstanding performance in any activity can be enhanced by being in a collaborative and supportive environment that includes like-minded individuals who can provide specific and constructive feedback.

The published work of Benjamin Bloom** in 1985 reports that the superb performers he investigated had practiced intensively, had studied with devoted teachers and had been supported enthusiastically by their families. Erricsson’s research, building on Bloom’s pioneering study, reveals that the amount and quality of deliberate practice are also key factors in the level of expertise people achieve.

Whichever way you look at it, being the best within a single pursuit requires a lot of time, sacrifice and hard work which, as is often the case, few people are willing to dedicate so much of their lives to.

However, if you do want to be a more skillful and knowledgeable paddler then spend time with a well-informed coach who will not only guide you through a process of deliberate practice that focuses on tasks beyond your current level of competence and comfort but will also to help you learn how to coach yourself through processes of reflection, critical thinking and goal setting.

*K. Anders Ericsson (ericsson@psy.fsu.edu) is the Conradi Eminent Scholar of Psychology at Florida State University, in Tallahassee.

**Benjamin Bloom (1913 – 1999) was an American educational psychologist who made contributions to the classification of educational objectives and to the theory of mastery-learning.

Program Schedule

Lumpy Waters: October 10 to 12, Pacific City, Oregon

Simplifying the Roll: October 18, Big Lagoon, California

The Fundamentals of Leadership: October 22, North Wales

Optimist Kayaking's Symposium: October 23 to 26, Israel

Overcoming Anxiety with Action: October 29, Anglesey Outdoors, North Wales

Traditional Skills Paddle (ENC): November 1, Stone Lagoon, California

Who's Leading Who? November 1, Llyn Padarn, North Wales

Qajaq Immersion Weekend: November 15 and 16, Bacalar, Mexico

Kayak Immersion Day: November 17, Bacalar, Mexico

ENC Crescent City Paddle: December 6, Crescent City, California

Simplifying the Roll: December 13, Dana Point, California

Simplifying the Roll: December 20, Marina Del Rey, California

Jamaica Circumnavigation Attempt: December 28, Jamaica

…And Finally

Working on your roll and need a little help? Simplifying the Roll with Helen Wilson and Yoga for Outdoor People are available from our on-line store HERE. 

Yoga for Outdoor People can also be purchased as a download from the Digital Good Store.

• Find Us On Facebook • Follow Us On Twitter • Read All About It • Visit Our On-Line Store •